Perko 0493 IPS Intake Water Strainer, Cast Bronze, SS316 Basket, Drain Plug

Overview

The Perko 0493 is a bronze IPS intake water strainer for raw-water plumbing on boats, used ahead of engines, generators, air conditioning systems, and other onboard equipment that needs a protected seawater intake. It keeps debris in a removable internal basket while allowing water to pass through to the system, helping reduce blockage risk in coastal, offshore, fishing, and dockside use.

The strainer body is cast bronze with a clear polymer cylinder and a 316 stainless steel strainer basket. The cylindrical basket uses 0.079 inch screen holes with 47 percent open area, which gives the intake plenty of screened surface while still catching weed, shell fragments, and other debris before they move deeper into the plumbing.

Across the 0493 range, pipe sizes run from 1/2 inch to 2-1/2 inch NPT. The cast bronze cover uses hinged lugs for quick access to the basket, and the bottom casting includes a drain plug for sediment removal and winterizing.

Key features

• Cast bronze body suits below-deck raw-water intake installations where corrosion resistance matters.
• 316 stainless steel strainer basket helps reduce electrolysis concerns inside the strainer assembly.
• Clear polymer cylinder lets the basket and water path be checked without opening the unit.
• 0.079 inch screen holes and 47 percent open area give the basket useful debris capture without overly restricting the intake.
• Mounting lugs are cast into both sides, giving more flexibility when positioning the strainer on a flat surface.
• Hinged cover lugs allow the basket to be removed for cleaning without fighting loose cover hardware.
• Bottom drain plug helps clear sediment and drain the housing during winterizing or seasonal service.
• Marine UL listed as an 858E strainer.

Variants

This Perko 0493 intake strainer range is offered in multiple pipe sizes so the strainer can be matched to the raw-water line specified for the engine, generator, air conditioning pump, or other seawater-fed system. Available sizes in this group cover 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/4 inch, 1-1/2 inch, 2 inch, and 2-1/2 inch pipe connections.

The pipe size changes the overall body size, cylinder size, basket size, and open-area-to-pipe-size ratio. The core construction remains the same across the range, including the cast bronze body, 316 stainless basket, clear polymer cylinder, hinged cover lugs, outside tie rods, and bottom drain plug.

Installation and setup

This strainer belongs on the intake side of a raw-water cooling or supply system. It should be mounted vertically on a flat surface, with enough clearance above the cover to lift the basket out for cleaning. The correct pipe size and strainer location should follow the equipment maker’s requirements for the system being protected.

For bonded DC systems and cathodic protection on boats, the installation should be handled in line with applicable ABYC guidance. In practice, that means planning the strainer location with access, bonding, hose routing, and seacock serviceability in mind before tightening the plumbing into place.

Use on board

This strainer is a strong fit for boats that need a serviceable raw-water intake strainer with visible inspection and straightforward cleaning. It is especially useful in engine rooms and machinery spaces where the crew needs to see debris buildup quickly and remove the basket without disassembling the surrounding plumbing.

Maintenance and care

Routine service is simple: close the related seacock before opening the cover, remove and rinse the basket, inspect the clear cylinder and gaskets, then reassemble before reopening the intake. The drain plug at the bottom of the casting helps remove trapped sediment and makes seasonal draining easier when the boat is laid up.